The Rixos Premium Belek, Antalya on the Turkish Riviera has been chosen to host Europe's most important travel and tourism awards.

The continent`s leading travel companies, operators and destinations are battling it out to be crowned the best of them all.

World Travel Awards, described by the International Herald Tribune as the ‘Oscars` of the travel industry, holds the Europe Gala Ceremony on 1 October, sponsored by Turkey`s flag carrier, Turkish Airlines.

Nominated companies are now going all out to persuade agents, suppliers and other industry professionals to support them. Voting ends on 10 September.

“Austerity measures are beginning to bite which means that the World Travel Awards European Gala Ceremony is even more hotly contended than ever”, said Graham E Cooke, Founder and President. “There is a great deal at stake here for all the nominees and winning one of the awards will help give them a much needed competitive edge.”

World Travel Awards, now in its 17th year, is universally recognised as a major champion of excellent customer service, encouraging and inspiring products and services to improve business performance and innovation.

Categories include everything from airlines, hotels, and spas to cruise lines, car rental and golf resorts. There are European overall categories as well as categories for more than 50 countries.

“We are delighted to be hosting the World Travel Awards European Gala Ceremony in its 17th year, “said Basak Erel, senior vice president brand management, Rixos Hotels.

“Our team of professionals at the Rixos Premium Belek will be very happy to provide the distinguished group of guests, from the world of tourism`s leading organisations, with our exceptional service and make this event a glorious one.”

As major sponsors of the industry`s keynote event, Erel added that the occasion was not only critical to the development of the European industry but also momentous for Turkey which has been chosen to host the evening. He also stated that the Rixos Premium Belek, awarded the title of ‘Turkey`s Leading Hotel` in 2008 and both ‘Turkey's Leading Hotel' and ‘Turkey's Leading Beach Resort' in 2009, is proud to host such a magnificent event for the most prestigious awards in the tourism and travel industry.

One of the most competitive categories is always Europe's Leading Airline and in contention this year are Air France, Alitalia, British Airways, Iberia, KLM, Lufthansa, SAS Scandinavia Airlines, Swiss International Air Lines, TAP Portugal and Turkish Airlines.

Dr. Temel Kotil, the CEO of Turkish Airlines, sponsor of the event, said “Our goal is to make sure that passengers flying to Turkey will experience the high quality of service and the overall excellence of Turkish Airlines on our planes. We open the door for new privileges in the sky for the utmost comfort of our passengers.

“Turkish Airlines is continuing to work to make the journey of each tourist more enjoyable and more convenient. As Turkish Airlines expands its market share in the world airline industry each year, it is also attracting potential passengers into the market with the unusual products and marketing strategies it has developed, offering them the possibility of safer, cheaper, more comfortable transportation.”

There's also a hard fought campaign to see who will carry off the much coveted title of Europe's Leading Hotel.

Interest in European golf holidays continues with the latest total economic value estimated at €48.3 billion in revenue. The spotlight, therefore, on nominees for Europe`s Leading Golf Resorts will be keenly watched.

Consumers use the list of winners as a reliable guide and means of reassurance when choosing their holiday. Companies and destinations that finish up on the winners podium, receive extensive commercial benefits and global profile.

Winners will be in the final of World Travel Awards in London on Sunday 7 November, immediately prior to World Travel Market.

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